Bear Naked Truth - Southern Shifters Paperback

She came to the mountains for a fresh start. What she found was a grizzly shifter with a possessive streak... and a secret that could start a war.

After escaping the pack that used her for a twisted experiment in shifter fertility, Jessa Baker just wants peace and solitude. The rundown cabin in Deals Gap, North Carolina, seems perfect—until one brooding, motorcycle-riding bear shifter throws her new beginning into chaos.

Calder has enough trouble keeping peace in the neutral zone without a curvy, sassy human stirring instincts he thought long buried. But the moment Jessa steps into his path, his protective nature—and his bear—go into overdrive.

She’s off-limits. She’s human. And she’s hiding something that could put every shifter in danger.

But when her past comes clawing back, Calder must decide if he’ll defy orders to protect the one woman who might just be his mate. Even if it means going to war with the pack that once owned her.

Bear Naked Truth is a steamy, slow-burn paranormal romance with growly alpha males, fierce heroines, found family, and a touch of fated-mate magic. Perfect for fans of small-town secrets and supernatural heat.

“Hey there, welcome to Sweet Retreat,” the lovely woman behind the counter said. “What can I get you?”

“I don’t know,” Jessa said, perusing her choices. “They all look so good.” And oh my god they did. There were rows and rows of decadently decorated cupcakes, donuts in every size and every flavor she could imagine, but it was the soft pillowy giant bear claws that ultimately drew her attention.

She pointed to one through the glass. “I want one of those. They look amazing. Is that maple frosting on top?”

“It is.” She bent over and grabbed one from the back of the row with her gloved hand. “You know your breakfast treats.”

Before she could answer, the unmistakable sound of motorcycle pipes roared outside the front door. Jessie cringed and frantically looked around for an exit. 

“You okay?” The woman placed a hand on Jessa’s and searched her eyes. “It’s just one of the locals named Calder coming for his morning donuts. He’s a friend and harmless, I swear.”

Jessa tried to play off her fear and simply nodded. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized how much she hated the sound of an approaching motorcycle. Most of Shane’s pack rode them, and they were not good guys. In fact, they scared the holy hell out of her without even trying.

She barely had time to gather her wits before the bell dinged above the door when someone pushed it open.

“Morning, Calder,” the woman behind the counter called. “I’ll be with you in a sec.”

A deep voice spoke behind her, “No rush” in a rumbly tone that vibrated along her skin, raising gooseflesh.

“Here you go, hon.” She handed over the bear claw in a small bag and included a to-go cup of coffee. “On the house. I hope you’ll come back.” The woman winked at her. “I also included one of my famous chocolate frosted cupcakes. You look like you could use it.”

“I can pay."

“I’m sure you can. But as the owner of this establishment, I get certain perks like giving a newcomer a free bear claw or cupcake to try in the hopes that she’ll love it so much she’ll come back again and again and again.” She smiled and thrust out her hand.
“Name's Sienna by the way.”

Jessa blushed, feeling every bit of the heat now flooding her face. Her paranoia had flared to life because of a motorcycle, and now she was making a damned fool of herself.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you." To her horror, she pretty much tripped over each word as it came out of her mouth. She shuddered to think of what was running through this woman's head.

"Hon, you didn't. Trust me. If I was offended, you would know it."

A low rumbled laugh sounded behind her.

Oh God, she'd momentarily forgotten that the motorcycle guy was standing behind her. What were her odds the floor would open up right about now and save her from this humiliating situation she'd landed in?

"Calder, you hush now, or I'm going to give my new customer all your donuts."

The laughter behind her died only to be replaced by an even deeper growl. An incredible sound she felt clear to her bones as it swept over her.

She whipped around. "I'm not really gonna—" The rest of her sentence died on her lips when she caught her first sight of the man standing behind her.